Here's One Theory About What Mulayam Whispered In Modi's Ears At Adityanath's Swearing In

"Inko sikhaiye."

Hindustan Times via Getty Images
Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacting with former SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav as well as former UP CM Akhilesh Yadav on the dais during the swearing-in ceremony at Lucknow's sprawling Smriti Upvan complex, on March 19, 2017 in Lucknow, India.

A gesture speaks a thousand words. There was a moment during the swearing in ceremony of Uttar Pradesh's next Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, when former Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav leaned in to whisper something in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ears - a moment perfectly captured by the press photographers present at the venue.

Former UP CM Akhilesh Yadav was seen standing right next to his father on the dais at Lucknow's Smriti Upvan complex, as Modi loosely held the seasoned politician's hands and leaned in closer to hear what he had to say. The body language seemed friendly to a casual observer, warm even, and speculations are now rife as to what Mulayam could have told the PM after the months-long bitter campaign by his party, in alliance with the Congress, against Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during the assembly elections.

Hindustan Times via Getty Images
Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacting with former SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav as well as former UP CM Akhilesh Yadav on the dais during the swearing-in ceremony at Lucknow's sprawling Smriti Upvan complex, on March 19, 2017.

Mulayam's relation with his son was soured during the run-up to the assembly polls over a family dispute that involved his brother Shivpal Yadav. While many in the Opposition camp have alleged that the feud was staged to give Mulayam a way out, there were several days of drama that culminated in Akhilesh taking charge of the party.

On stage, as Mulayam gestured, Akhilesh walked up to Modi and shook his hand. Mulayam reportedly told Modi, according to Telegraph, "Inko sikhaiye" (teach him). During the campaign, both Akhilesh and Modi traded barbs, with the latter ridiculing him for "making a new friend" in Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, while the former countering with a jibe on actor Amitabh Bachchan endorsing "donkeys of Gujarat".